The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1887-10-13
OUR RURAL TOPICS.
Some Practical Suggestions for Our
Agricultural Readers
WINTER FEEDING.

nomical manner. We believe the system prac-
ticed by some, Of feeding with frequency sew
eral times during the day, is contrary to the
best health and condition of the animal as well
as against the best economy. The stomach of
a cow or OK is a machine for the conversion of
food into elements of animal nutrition, and if
this is improperly worked it is liable to become
disordered. The stomach requires some rest !;
il cannot be worked to its full capacity all the
time without impairing its efficiency. Be-
sides, il the stomach is overworked the work
which il does is imperfect-that is, the feed is
not properly digested, and as consequence
there is a loss of feeding material We believe
in providing full rations, but at the same time
we would dispense them with regularity. Cat
tie fed sufficient rations at night and morn
ing can be kept in better condition than IL fed
greater amount at various times during tho
day.
The matter of feeding is more important in
the case of horses than Of cattle Because of
the structure of the internal organs of the
horse, only about such quantity of food can
be retained in the stomach at one time, and if
continued eating is INDUCED in the food is
pressed forward in its passage through the ami
NAL and does little in the line of adding to the
body structure. Food, in order to be of bene-
fit. must be digested in order to be assimilated
to the system. Some may think that a re-
striction of rations as 10 quantity and time
looks like cruelty, but the improved condition
OF horse under such treatment will soon dis
pei the feeling. 1t is stated upon good au-
thoTity that more horses are broken down and
permanently injured by indiscretion in feed
ing than all other causes combined. II such
be the case, every person who has the care of
horses, or of CATTLE should study carefully the
necessities of the animals aud adopt such a
system of feeding as will be calculated to pro-
mote their thrift and health.-GeTmaHtOS0H Tel
egrdph
WONDERFUL FORAGE PLANT.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: Perhaps one
of the most valuable forage plants in the United
States is found in what is known as the yellow
milo maize 1t seems 10 be especially adapted
10 all conditions of soil and climate Not
withstanding the dry season, the small patch
had in cultivation made a most rapid growth,
and its development this Fall in heading ont
and side shoots is wonderful. If desired, il
may be cut two or three times through the
Summer, thus supplying a great amount of
most excellent fodder, and of kind all stock
is exceedingly fond of. IL comes as neardrouth-
proof as any plant know of, and mine is rank
and green now, as though it had not passed
through hot aud dry Summer; in fact, il is a
perfect success for Western prairies. The seed
is a valuable feed when fed separately, and is a
great inducement TO the poultry in supplying
the family with eggs. 1t also makes an excel
lent substitute in the way OF popcorn for the
little ones. That it may become more widely
known for its many good qualities, l will send
large package to any VINE wish to start for
five 2-cent stamps in a letter to pay postage
w. r. SMITH, Box "a, Caryville, Wilson Co.,
Kan.
THINNING FRUIr.
Confrmatory of the benefit desirable from
this process floating item thus relates the ex-
perience of a successful gardener: Ten trees
were loaded. When as large as hickory nuts
he began removing ali the smallest. thinning
out unsparingly wherever they were crowded.
After going over Eve trees in this way, the
operation was suspended and FIVE left untouched.
The peaches on the FIVE denuded trees grew
prodigiously large, and brought in market $il
clear Of all expenses, while the fruit from the
other five Melted only s26, making difference
OF $40 in favor Of thinning. -IadspeRdent
sKUNKs AND POULTRY.
II is not an unusual thing for poultry -raisers
10 be troubled with the depredations of skunks
that will, if they can got az them, devour eggs
or young chickens. When once satisfied that
they have troubled a hens nest, you are pretty
sure OF the fellow, for having made one sue
cessful visitation for eggs they are apt to re-
peat it, aud then you have got him if you take
an egg and prick hole in one end as for blow
ing. and insert a small quantity of strychnine,
covering the hole with paper pasted To the
shell, and put in the nest FOR the skunk. If be
takes the egg he will not carry it off; he'll
stay.
HARVESTING BUCKwHEAT.
Buckwheat should be thoroughly dry before
IL is harvested, so rs TO avoid any danger oi
heating or molding In the bin. Although the
thrashing is frequently done by machine, the
tendency is 10 perform the work when the straw
or grain is not entirely dry. The old-fashiOned
method Of hand thrashing in the middle of the
day when the grain is perfectly dry and will
shell easily seems 10 be very satisfactory mode
even if it takes a little longer time and the
additional labor Of winnowing by hand. Hand
winnowing will give much cleaner grain.
RAIN AND THE FARMERS.
The past season has been marked by very
unequal distribution of rain, producing in both
its extremes unlavorable conditions. In Hi
nois and other Western States, as we'll a. som,
OF the Middle States, the want of rain caused
a great reduction in all crops and at the LAS
the great excess Of rain produced a similar re
suit with many crops The matter is beyond
mans disposition, but il the excess Of rain in
New England could have been distributed
where there was deficiency the results in both
sections would have been very different. Blu
il is 10 be hoped that even now ali will prove
10 be for the best.
NOTES
- Ripe clover makes dusty hay.
The best price for pork is the early price.
The pasture is the pigs paradise. Put
them there.
- The farmer who throws away cobs. throws
- Do not wonder If the ticks are all killed
but make sure.
- Boiled sweet milk is good to check diar
rhea in chicks or fowls
Next year be careful and kill the baby
caterpillars; then you will not be troubled
later.
- 1t is a physical impossbility 10 put impur,
water into cow and get pure milk from her
- Permit no vegetables or garden truck 10 90
TO waste If you have 1iVCk OF chickens Of
ducks shutu in pens.
- Divide the surplus sweet corn between tn,
poultry and pigs. Give the, stalks to the pig
aud the ears 30 the poultry. Strip the hush
back and let the fowls peek on the grain.
- Look closely TO hecellar. In the averag,
dwelling house it is the breeding ground o
many of the ills that AFFECT the household. Per
| NIT no decaying vegetables stagnant air o.
other foul thing 70 remain there for Gn hour.
- Remember that fresh Buhach in water
| kept tightly eorked in bottle, one tablespoon
ful 10 two gallons, is excellent TO keep file
i from worrying our WORK horses. We hav,
| only 10 battle animals on various parts of tia
| body once in an hour or So
| - Ducks suffer more keeniy than chickens i
| deprived Of water for drink. II you hay,
any confined in yards in hot weather, see tia
/ 4 l.. a